By Bill Raack, KWMU
St. Louis, MO – Cases of West Nile virus have dropped over the past two summers, but Missouri health officials say they'll continue their efforts to combat the spread of the mosquito-borne disease.
There were 36 cases of West Nile verified by the state Department of Health and Senior Services and two deaths last year. That was down from 64 cases and eight deaths in 2003.
Department spokesman Brian Quinn says one reason for the decrease may be public awareness. "We hope that our health messages of personal protection and reducing standing water on their personal properties, as well as reporting dead birds to their county and city health departments," Quinn says.
"We hope that is combining to help reduce people's risk of getting bitten by mosquitoes and thus that risk of west nile virus."
Area cities and counties have already begun to treat creeks, streams and other standing water to kill mosquito larvae this spring.
"We are getting more experienced and better prepared in dealing with it year to year as far as spraying programs from local jurisdictions getting the insecticides out and spraying low-lying areas and taking calls from concerned citizens where they are seeing a lot of mosquitoes," added Quinn.
The busiest time of the year for mosquitoes and West Nile virus does not occur until July and August.
| West Nile Virus - Missouri | |||
| Year | Cases | Deaths | |
| 2002 | 168 | n/a | |
| 2003 | 64 | 8 | |
| 2004 | 36 | 2 | |